Exeter students to compete in DestiNation Imagination finals

Students' destination is global contest

EXETER — Don't ask the students from Team 5th Dimension at Lincoln Street School if they need help preparing for the Destination ImagiNation global competition in Knoxville, Tenn. They'll just duct tape you.

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By Hattie Perkins

seacoastonline.com

By Hattie Perkins

Posted Apr. 29, 2011 at 2:00 AM

By Hattie Perkins
Posted Apr. 29, 2011 at 2:00 AM

GO & DO

What: Plant sale to benefit Lincoln Street School Team 5th Dimension's trip to Knoxville, Tenn. for the global competition of Destination ImagiNationWhen: Saturday, April 30, from 8:30 a.m. to ...

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GO & DO

What: Plant sale to benefit Lincoln Street School Team 5th Dimension's trip to Knoxville, Tenn. for the global competition of Destination ImagiNation

When: Saturday, April 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m

Where: Exeter Bandstand

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EXETER — Don't ask the students from Team 5th Dimension at Lincoln Street School if they need help preparing for the Destination ImagiNation global competition in Knoxville, Tenn. They'll just duct tape you.

At least that's what they do to their team manager, Michelle Berke, during their rehearsal times after school. Any help from an adult is considered cheating and could get them kicked out of the competition. If she tries to intervene, they slap on a thick piece of duct tape and continue on with the creative process. But she said there are no hard feelings. "They have to learn to work together," said Berke, who's been managing the team for two years. "We monitor, but they have to solve their own problems. It's really cool to watch them."

The seven members of the team garnered a second-place prize at the state tournament in Nashua, and they're gearing up for the global competition from May 23 to May 28 in Tennessee.

Destination ImagiNation is a nonprofit organization that teaches elementary, middle, high school and even college students the skills of creativity, problem solving and teamwork. According to its Web site, 100,000 students in more than 30 countries are involved in the program each year.

This is the second year the team has qualified for the global competition, having won first place in the state competition last year. This year, the team placed for its "Mythology Mission," performance. This required students to spend the last few months researching six different countries, as well as one mythological creature from each country. At the competition, the students draw the name of a country out of a hat and are given five minutes to write a skit about that country, involving the mythological creature. They are also given objects that must be used as props.

Team 5th Dimension pulled Saudi Arabia and had to use a hook, Velcro, an umbrella and a metal pan for their skit. The teams are judged on how well their skit educates the judges on the given culture and mythological creature, and on how well they integrate the props.

The teams are also given an instant challenge, for which they are given a problem to solve in 10 to 15 minutes.

Although the students aren't asking for any intellectual assistance, they could use a little help in getting to the competition at the University of Tennessee. Right now, the team is raising money to travel to the global competition. Five students will be attending, as well as five adult chaperones. Cost is $1,000 per person. The team will hold a raffle, with three main prizes: A four-pack of Red Sox tickets, a two-pack of Red Sox tickets and a $250 cash award. Tickets can be purchased at Shaw's Supermarket on May 14th and 15th, or on the lawn of Lincoln Street School on May 6th from 2-4:30 p.m. Berke can also be reached at team5thdimension@comcast.net. April 30, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., the team will be hosting a plant sale at the Exeter Bandstand.

Berke said the students have been working hard on their improvisational skills, and although the instant challenge for the global competition is top secret, Berke said her students won't sweat.